pi: Difference between revisions

{{tp title}}{{nimi

'''''{{tp|pi''}}''' is a [[particle]] used for grouping [[modifier]]s together. The resulting phrase that follows it is called a '''''{{tp|pi''}} phrase''', by analogy to [[preposition]]al phrases.

By default, each modifier applies to the whole phrase before it<ref group="lower-alpha">Some speakers analyze themall asmodifiers allas applying to the first word instead, but the distinction often doesn't matter.</ref>:

<references group="lower-alpha" />

== Multiple ''{{tp|pi''}} ==

While not defined in ''{{tp|[[pu]]''}}, some speakers do use multiple ''{{tp|pi''}} in a single phrase. However, this carries a risk of ambiguity as to whether the second ''{{tp|pi''}} is contained within the first or not:

;Flat ''{{tp|pi''}}

:''{{tp|1=<span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">lipu <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi sona <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">mute</span></span> <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi toki <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">Inli</span></span></span>''}}

;Nested ''{{tp|pi''}}

:''{{tp|1=<span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">lipu <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi sona <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">mute</span> <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi toki <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">Inli</span></span></span></span>''}}

{{tok|jan Lope}} argues that, like ''{{tp|[[li]]''}} and ''{{tp|[[e]]''}}, both ''{{tp|pi''}} phrases apply equally to the first noun in the phrase, rather than nesting.<ref>[//htmlpreview.github.io/?https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jan-Lope/Toki_Pona_lessons_English/gh-pages/toki-pona-lessons_en/index.html#3127] {{tok|jan Lope}}, "Are multiple ''{{tp|pi''}} phrases possible?</ref> As an example, he gives:

Using a single word between the ''{{tp|pi''}} does prevent the ambiguity, as the flat structure would contain an invalid single-word ''{{tp|pi''}} phrase. However, if you feel the need to stack this many modifiers, you might be better off rephrasing the phrase into a sentence:

A related misconception is that ''{{tp|pi''}} marks possession. In reality, adjectives can be interpreted as possessive with or without ''{{tp|pi''}}. It is just about whether the possessor is referred to with more than one word.

''{{tp|pi''}} is controversial. To many speakers, it feels too engineered for Toki Pona's natural design, it creates more complexity and misconceptions than it is worth, and it encourages learners to [[Lexicalization|find "the phrase" for any given word]]. Avoiding ''{{tp|pi''}} is a common ''{{tp|nasin''}} called [[pin't]].

* {{tp|[[pu]]}} Lesson 11

* [//lipu-sona.pona.la/9.html {{tok|jan Lentan}} Lesson 9]

* [//sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/6 {{tok|soweli Tesa}} Lesson 6]

* [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/pi/ {{tok|sitelen sitelen}} Descriptions and Possesives]

* [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-pi {{tok|nasin toki pona}}]

* [//mun.la/sona/mod-pi.html {{tok|jan Kekan San}} Modifiers and {{tok|pi}}]